Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

Gibraltar will introduce a 15% Transaction Tax on goods imported or manufactured locally from 10 April 2026, rising to 17% by 2028, as part of a post‑Brexit agreement with Spain to keep open borders. The new tax replaces Gibraltar’s long‑standing VAT‑free regime and includes reduced, zero‑rated, and exempt categories for specific goods and services.

The Ukrainian government is drafting a major bill to raise the VAT registration threshold for individual entrepreneurs from UAH 1 million to UAH 4 million, potentially submitting it to parliament in March. The bill also includes changes to parcel taxation, digital platform taxation, and a fixed military levy of 5%. Implementation dates are pending, with the threshold possibly taking effect after the war ends or Ukraine joins the EU.

The European General Court issued a preliminary ruling on 11 February 2026 (Case No. T‑689/24) confirming that Polish input VAT can be deducted upon receipt of the invoice, not at the time of purchase. The decision, which cites EU Directive 2006/112/EC, applies to a Polish gas and electricity clearinghouse and clarifies the timing of the deduction right for Polish VAT authorities.

Ecuador announced a temporary reduction of the general VAT rate for tourist services from 15% to 8% during the New Year holiday period (1–4 January 2026). The reduced rate applies to a wide range of tourist activities defined under Article 5 of the Tourism Law, including accommodation, food, entertainment, transport, and event services.

CEN approved an updated EN 16931‑1 e‑invoicing standard on 13 February 2026, adding new mandatory fields for B2B transactions and aligning with the July 2030 Digital Reporting Requirements. The revision supports both B2B and B2G use, enabling ViDA users to comply without costly system rebuilds.

This guide explains the EU-wide €10,000 distance‑selling threshold for cross‑border B2C sales and how it is affected by multi‑country storage. It also covers the 2025 SME VAT exemption scheme and the implications for local VAT registration and OSS use when goods are stored in multiple EU countries.

EY reports that Gibraltar will introduce a Transaction Tax on goods from 10 April 2026, with rates rising from 15% to 16% and then aligning with the EU's lowest VAT rate. The new tax applies to imported or locally manufactured goods, exempting bunkering fuel, ship supplies, and non‑sale goods, while excise duties for tobacco, alcohol, and fuel will align with Spanish rates by 2029. Businesses and individuals will need to adjust pricing and compliance processes accordingly.

On 11 February 2026 the European General Court issued a preliminary ruling in Case T‑643/24 concerning the VAT treatment of unlicensed public communication of musical works by a Romanian guest house. The court held that under Directive 2006/112/EC the act constitutes a supply of services for consideration, thereby subjecting it to VAT. The decision clarifies the application of VAT to the entire tripled amount charged for the broadcast.

The Philippine Court of Tax Appeals issued a decision on Feb. 10, 2026 (CTA Case No. 10561) clarifying the validity of assessments for alleged tax deficiencies. The case involved a domestic corporation claiming entitlement to a 5 % preferential gross income tax rate and a 12 % VAT exemption, arguing that the Commissioner of Revenue had incorrectly applied a 30 % threshold for income from Philippine sources outside the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone. The court examined whether the sales in question were within the zone and the implications for the tax assessments.

Belgium will raise the VAT rate on hotel and campsite accommodation to 12% from 1 March 2026, while the rate on non‑alcoholic beverages served in hospitality venues will fall to 12% from 21%. Planned increases for takeaway food and cultural/sports events from 6% to 12% have been put on hold after a critical advisory opinion from the Council of State.

China’s State Administration of Taxation clarified VAT starting thresholds for the 2026 Value Added Tax Law. Natural persons’ daily threshold rises to RMB 1,000 per transaction, with special rules for continuous transactions and a monthly RMB 100,000 threshold. The announcement also simplifies compliance by deeming filing fulfilled when VAT is invoiced by authorities or withheld, and allows small‑scale taxpayers to waive exemptions transaction‑by‑transaction.

Ireland has announced a phased rollout of mandatory B2B e‑invoicing, starting with large corporates in November 2028 and culminating in full ViDA compliance by July 2030. The new system will use the PEPPOL framework and EN 16931 structured data, requiring all businesses to receive structured e‑invoices. The change aligns Ireland with the EU’s digital VAT agenda and will modernise VAT administration.

Belgium's federal government has decided to withdraw its plan to raise VAT on tickets for sports, cultural events, and takeaway meals. The decision was announced by Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval. The Council of State had previously criticized the proposed changes.

The Court of Tax Appeals (Danıştay) issued decision 2025/19, 2025/21 on 12 Feb 2026 clarifying that real‑estate sales by corporate taxpayers held for at least two full years in their books are exempt from VAT, even when sold at auction. The ruling resolves a dispute between Konya and Istanbul regional courts and extends the exemption to auction sales.

A practical guide to structuring an e-invoicing RFP brief, covering company profiles, project objectives, compliance requirements (including FR 2026 and Poland KSeF), system landscapes, and governance — so vendors can deliver accurate, comparable proposals.

The Chilean Internal Revenue Service issued Letter No. 285 on Feb. 4, clarifying VAT rules for the special construction company credit (CEEC) and urban housing development. The letter confirms that CEEC can be requested at 32.5% or 16.25% if the development is related to housing, and that construction of social housing under state subsidies is not treated as a general construction contract aimed at housing.

e-Invoice.app offers a free e-Invoicing vendor matching tool that helps companies identify e‑invoicing solutions vendors based on their specific business profiles, existing ERP system, jurisdictional scope etc. The matching tool generates structured requirements from 90+ country mandates and business context, then matches vendors to create a shortlist, aiming to reduce compliance risk and accelerate procurement.

On 2 December 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that the right to deduct VAT arises when a taxable transaction occurs, not when the invoice is received. The decision invalidates Polish rules that tie VAT deduction to invoice receipt, allowing businesses to claim VAT earlier if the invoice is received before the tax return deadline. The ruling is expected to improve cash flow for companies across the EU.

Turkiye has introduced new certification requirements for nondeductible VAT on certain import transactions effective 31 January 2026. Importers with semi‑annual import values above TRY 2.6 million must submit a Special‑Purpose Sworn‑in Certified Public Accountant Report, while those below must file a notification. The rules also allow a full tax‑certification agreement to waive the separate report if it confirms proper treatment.

The General Court ruled that Poland’s requirement of invoice possession for VAT deduction is incompatible with EU law. Polish taxpayers can now deduct VAT in the month of liability if the invoice was issued before the tax return submission, rather than waiting for the next accounting period. The decision is expected to accelerate VAT recovery and improve cash flow, especially under the mandatory KSeF e‑invoicing system.